Plant extract for hair tonic for treating baldness and preventing hair loss and hair bulb regenerator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an extract from  Pteridium Arachnoideum  or  Pteridium Aquilinum  and the preparation process thereof, useful for re-growing hair in subjects who have experienced hair loss due to any cause on head and eyebrow.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a potent hair tonic based on an extractof the plant Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum, whichstrengthens the action of the hair follicles, increases the vitality ofthe tissues and strengthens the capillaries cells. The action and effectof this extract takes place in the first days of dermal application, andby the third day there is noticeable hair growth. The extract ofPteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum strengthens the hair,increases the speed of growth, impedes or prevents hair loss, increasesthe size of the hair and increases the vitality of the hair bulb,reinvigorating it and causing the hair to sprout dormant bulbs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Healthy hair grows 0.5 to 1 centimeter per month. The cycle of birth,growth and shedding of the hair, usually lasts from 2 to 4 years. Afterthe completion of its cycle, the hair bulb ruptures, giving off a layerof germ cells that will deposit on the papilla, generating a new hairbulb that, after three months, will reach the surface of the scalp. Ifthe bulb does not give off the layer of germ cells, there is no hairformation [1].

There are many causes of hair loss. Alopecia androgenetic is a geneticcause of hair loss, which affects primarily men, but can also affectwomen. It is the atrophy of hair bulbs, due to dihydrotestosterone(DHT), a hormone produced by the interaction of testosterone with5-alfa-reductase, resulting in shrinkage of the hair follicle, to itsgradual disappearance. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania,USA, found that in the bald area, the level of protein “prostaglandin D2synthase” is very high [2], suggesting that this protein is also one ofthe causes of androgenetic alopecia. The researchers found that theprostaglandin may be a target for the treatment of male patternbaldness. Thence, it is possible to seek compounds that affect thisreceptor block and find out if baldness can be reversed or prevented.

There is another form of alopecia, Alopecia Areata, which is a diseaseof unknown cause that affects both men and women. It is characterized bya sudden loss of hair in the affected areas without alteration of theskin surface. Among the possible causes is a genetic predisposition thatcan be stimulated by triggers such as emotional stress and autoimmunediseases [3].

Other causes affect hair loss, such as thyroid dysfunction; hormonalproblems; polycystic ovaries; autoimmune diseases; infectious orparasitic diseases; stress; extensive surgeries; medications;chemotherapy; radiation therapy; depression; dandruff; seborrhea;nutritional deficiencies; lack of protein; lack of vitamins and mineralsin food; alcohol; as well as the natural cycle of hair life (about 2 to4 years).

There are several treatments that include pharmaceuticals and cosmeticsto promote hair re-growth and/or to prevent hair loss. Among some of themost common treatments in the market are: 1) Rogaine® (Minoxidil 2% or5%) lotion, which is suitable for androgenetic alopecia. According toits Information Leaflet, they claim to see results in the stabilizationof hair loss in three months of treatment. Its action is initiated inabout the second month of application, however, the most significantresults appear in the fourth month, and in other cases in the sixth ortwelfth month of application. 2) Pantogar tablets (60 mg Calciumpantothenate, Cystine 20 mg, 60 mg thiamine nitrate, 100 mg medicinalyeast, Keratin 20 mg, aminobenzoic acid 20 mg). According to itsLeaflet, it takes three to six months to ensure the effectiveness oftreatment. 3) Propecia® (1 mg finasteride) tablets. It iscontraindicated for women and children. Generally, the daily use inthree months or more is necessary to notice the increasing hair growthor the diminishing of hair loss. Most important adverse reaction:decreased libido. 4) Low penetration LASER. Applied topically,stimulates the hair bulbs. Their result appears after 3 three months oftreatment.

Therefore, the present invention offers faster and safer results thanany of the current methods, to both men and women. It provides aneffective treatment for the prevention of hair loss, the re-growth ofhair despite the cause, the strengthening of hair strand and therevitalization of hair bulbs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to introduce a tonic to prevent hairloss in the scalp, eyebrows and body, as well as for the birth andgrowth of hair by using the extract of Pteridium Arachnoideum orPteridium Aquilinum. The said extract stops hair loss in just a shortperiod of time, enhancing hair growth and significantly increasing thesize of the hair strand. Its effects begin in just three days.

The extract referred to in this invention also encourages the birth andgrowth of hair in the scalp, eyebrows, and body, where there is inactivehair bulb, but not where dead hair bulb exists, in any form or reason ofalopecia, including androgenetic alopecia.

Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum is also popularly known as“fern of taperas”, “samambaia do campo”, bracken, pluma grande.

The present invention also covers the method of obtaining the extractreferred to in this invention. This invention is described in detail inthe following sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAPHICS

FIG. 1—Monitoring the extraction in ethanol by UV-Vis spectroscopy.

FIG. 2—Monitoring the extraction in isopropanol by UV-Vis spectroscopy.

FIG. 3—Comparison of absorption versus time of extraction in ethanol andisopropanol.

FIG. 4—Comparison of the spectra of absorption of the extracts in water,ethanol, and isopropanol after 26 hours of extraction.

FIG. 5—Emission spectrum of the ethanol extract, λexc=365 nm.

FIG. 6—Excitation spectrum of the ethanol extract, λemi=672 nm.

FIG. 7—Back of the subject's scalp (subject “A”), on the third day oftreatment. It is observed the growth of new hair in sparse locations,new hair strand is strong and in natural color, brown (1 cm2 area on topof the skull: no hair strands).

FIG. 8—Subject “A” within one week of treatment, showing the hairgrowth, increasing in caliber and, at the same time, noticing theappearance of new hair strands and formation of visible hair bulbs.

FIG. 9—Subject “A” in one month of treatment, the hair strands begin toemerge throughout the treated, but still, rarefied area.

FIG. 10—Subject “A” in three months of treatment (after skipping a monthwithout applying the product, for the reason of the study), many hairstrands have grown, packing more densely on the scalp, showing thepresence of hair follicles in greater amount, to cover the bald area.

FIG. 11—Subject “A” within five months of treatment. One can notice theincreasing growth and development of hair strands, in addition to itsstrengthening and concentration, virtually covering the entire bald areastudied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of the use of extract of Pteridium Arachnoideumor Pteridium Aquilinum as capillary tonic. The genus Pteridium containsa wide variety of chemical compounds, including tannins; shikimic,succinic and fumaric acids; pterosins; “pterosideos”; quercetin;prunasin; carotenoids; chlorophil and catecholamines. In particular,quercetin is a natural flavonoid having pharmacological properties suchas anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic (because it acts on the immunesystem), antiviral, anti-histamine, anti-allergic, cardiovascular, itinfluences on the inhibition of cataracts in diabetics, among otherbenefits. High concentrations of quercetin are found in apples, onions,tea, broccoli and red wine. As for the catecholamines, they are chemicalcompounds derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Some of them arebiogenic amines. The catecholamines are soluble in water and circulatein the blood 50% bound to plasma proteins. The most abundantcatecholamines are adrenaline, noradrenalin and dopamine. As hormones,they are released by the adrenal gland during stress, such aspsychological stress, or hypoglycemia. Regarding fumaric acid, recentstudies have shown the efficacy of its derivatives in psoriasis.

The extract of Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum wasprepared as tonic and facilitator of hair growth. Its action occurs inthe first days of dermal application. Experiments were conducted tobetter characterize its qualities. The tonic has promoted total stoppageof hair loss in men and women in one week, and hair growth has startedfrom the third day of application. In all case studies, it was observedthat its action is cumulative, preventing the fall of hair andstimulating the growth of new hair strand with daily treatment. Theextract of Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum encourages themaximum growth of the hair strands, increases hair strength, leads tothe growth of hair strand where there is live bulb, and reverses theprocess of baldness in a short time. Experience shows that in people whohad been bald for up to fifteen years, plenty of new hair growthoccurred in a short period of time. In people who had been bald for morethan fifteen years the process is slower, however, the action of thisextract is observed in the activation of the hair bulbs, and the growthof thin hair follicles in a period of three months of treatment.

The action of this tonic also seems to indicate that it fightsleucotricose, which is responsible for the loss of natural hair color bythe lack of melanin production by the melanocyte cell.

Also reported were cases of disappearance of seborrhea with the use ofthe alcoholic extract of Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum.

The objective of this invention is:

A—Using the extract of Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum ashair tonic.

The advantages of this invention using the extract of PteridiumArachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum are that it is the most potent andeffective than any other product on the market; its action occursrapidly and it is lasting, in all phases of hair growth, development andmaintenance of hair cells and hair bulbs; it is natural, safe, painless,and easy to apply.

The present invention consists of:

a) Obtaining the hair tonic by extracting the active principle in asimple and quick way, without the need for many steps of synthesis andpurification of synthetic dyes;b) Utilizing Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum as a naturalspecies that naturally contains the active ingredient for the hairtonic.

Experimental Procedures A—Preparation of Tonic by Extraction

In the beginning of the experimental procedures the leaves of PteridiumArachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum were harvested, crushed and left todecoction in water, ethanol or isopropanol and then filtered.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the evolution of the extraction of active principlesin ethanol and isopropanol respectively, accompanied by an increase invisible light absorption of the extract with the extraction time. Theelectronic spectra show intense bands in the visible, typical of thechlorophyll absorption (maximum absorption at 667, 610, 538 and 413 nm),carotenoids (maximum absorption at 465 and 432 nm) [4] region. Bands inthe ultraviolet region can be attributed to the electronic transitionsof prunasin, present in fern. Although the prunasin plant has cyanogeniceffect, mostly from fresh leaves and stem [5,6], there was no HCN gasevolution during the extraction, perhaps because of the use of dryleaves.

FIG. 3 is a comparison of the absorption of active ingredients regardingtime and the two different solvents, being mostly evident the efficiencyof the extraction in ethanol. Furthermore, we note that after 26 hoursit already reaches constancy in the values of absorption, indicatingthat it is not necessary to go beyond this timeframe for the efficacy ofthe extraction.

FIG. 4 compares the absorption spectra of the extracts obtained withthree different solvents, being, water, ethanol and isopropanol, after26 hours of extraction, indicating that water is not able to extractcarotenes or chlorophyll present in the plant, resulting in anelectronic spectrum band without characteristics in the visible region.

In FIG. 5, the ethanol extract exhibits emission maximum at 672 nm,assigned to the emission of chlorophyll, and the correspondingexcitation spectrum, in FIG. 6, is similar to the absorption spectrum ofthis species.

The pH of the extracts (water, 5.8; ethanol, 5.0; isopropanol, 5.7) isslightly acidic and viable for cutaneous use.

TLC chromatography of the ethanol extract solution using a 1:1acetone:isopropanol showed three different spots: one of green color,related to chlorophyll, with an Rf=0.56 and two other colors developedusing irradiation at 250 nm Rf equal to 0.67 and 0.90.

Mesoporous TiO2 films were immersed in ethanol extract for 1 day. TheTiO2 acquired a pale greenish tinge, even with the solution acidified topH 3, it was not possible to obtain the absorption spectrum in thevisible. By removing these films from the solution, the adsorbed dyerapidly oxidizes, turning to beige color.

B—Application of the Tonic on the Scalp

The analysis of the action of the product makes us believe that mostlikely it acts in decreased androgen DHT, preventing the conversion oftestosterone to DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, in addition toother forms of action yet to be studied. However, it was observed astoppage of hair loss in female subjects undergoing strong chemotherapytreatments, as well as growth and maintenance of hair, thus evidencingadditional forms of action.

The extract effectively acts to induce hair growth, hair, and skin cells(capillary bulb) regeneration.

The extract has been proven effective for inducing the creation of haircells, causing the hair bulbs to mature and sprout. In the case ofsubject “A” (Franklin Kilbert Karbstein), 50 years old, Caucasian, whichis a carrier of androgenetic alopecia has been established for at least25 years at the front area, and 15 years on the back and middle of thescalp, it was found both on the back and in the middle part, the hairgrew again vigorously. The result of the action of the extract isevidenced from the 3rd third day of topical cutaneous application, FIG.7. At this stage, the hair begins to emerge from active hair bulbs. Fromthe third day, the action of the extract appears to be cumulative, andconstantly induces the growth of new hair on the treated area, day afterday, FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. By the fifth month of treatment, FIG. 11, thearea of the scalp is filled almost entirely with hair. The hair strandsgrow stronger and noticeably better than the hair grown in the areawhere there was no treatment. The hair strands protrude vigorously upwithout bending during the first stage of growth, and then they start tobend with the continued growth and action of their weight on their base.The extract promotes the creation of new hair strands.

Method of Preparation

The method of producing the extract of Pteridium Arachnoideum orPteridium Aquilinum consists of the following steps:

1. The green or dried leaves and/or stems of the plant PteridiumArachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum may be used, duly crushed.2. Place the plant Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum inethanol solution (which may be any type of ethanol, preferably ethanol92%, or grain alcohol) and wait a minimum of 26 hours and maximum of 72hours, when the extract with the active principles is already obtained.3. The solution color is a deep green, almost like an olive green color.4. The extract is then filtered, separating the pulp from the liquid.

1. The patent claim applies to the METHOD OF PRODUCING ethanol extractof Pteridium Arachnoideum or Pteridium Aquilinum and the USE of thereferred extract, in order to stop hair loss in the scalp, eyebrows, andbody, accelerating hair growth, promoting hair birth in inactive hairbulbs, but not in dead bulbs.
 2. COMPOSITION BASE FOR COSMETIC ORPHARMACEUTIC FOR PROPHYLAXIS OR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS, inboth male and female, comprising of alcoholic, hydro-ethanol, aqueous oroil extracts from the leaves, stems, roots and rhizomes of PteridiumArachnoideum or Aquilinium and their synonyms or common and popularnames.
 3. COMPOSITION BASE FOR COSMETIC OR PHARMACEUTIC USE FORTREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PEOPLEaccording to claim 2, characterized by the base composition for cosmeticor pharmaceutical preparations for the prevention or treatment of alltypes and stages of baldness or hair loss in male and female people,without distinction of sex.
 4. COMPOSITION BASE FOR COSMETIC ORPHARMACEUTIC USE FOR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE ANDFEMALE PEOPLE according to any one of claims 2-3, characterized by beingapplied to children, adults and seniors and persons undergoingchemotherapy.
 5. COMPOSITION BASE FOR COSMETIC OR PHARMACEUTIC USE FORTREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PEOPLEaccording to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by the applicationto any skin surface of the human body containing hair bulb, even in astate of inactivity, but not extinct.
 6. COMPOSITION BASE FOR COSMETICOR PHARMACEUTIC USE FOR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALEAND FEMALE PEOPLE according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterizedin the preparation of cosmetics, phytocosmetics, or pharmaceuticalproducts for topical use.
 7. COMPOSITION BASE FOR COSMETIC ORPHARMACEUTIC USE FOR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE ANDFEMALE PEOPLE according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized inthe preparation of cosmetics, phytocosmetics or topical pharmaceuticals,in the form of soaps, shampoos, conditioners, hair gel or aerosol hairsprays, moisturizers, cream rinse, mousses or oils.
 8. COMPOSITION BASEFOR COSMETIC OR PHARMACEUTIC USE FOR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSSIN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PEOPLE according to any one of claims 2 to 7,wherein for the preparation of cosmetics, phytocosmetics or topicalpharmaceuticals, in the form of tinctures and extracts, to obtain hairtonics.
 9. COMPOSITION BASE FOR COSMETIC OR PHARMACEUTIC USE FORTREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PEOPLEaccording to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in the preparationof cosmetics, phytocosmetic or topical pharmaceuticals, in the form ofaerosols, creams, ointments, gels, emulsions, W/O (water in oil) or O/W(oil in water) and lotions.
 10. COMPOSITION BASE of Pteridium Aquilinumand Arachnoideum and/or their synonyms FOR COSMETIC OR PHARMACEUTIC USEFOR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PEOPLEaccording to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in the preparationof cosmetics, phytocosmetics or topical pharmaceuticals, comprisingformulations containing hydroethanolic, ethanolic, aqueous, or oilyextracts, associated to extracts and other excipients derived fromnatural sources or synthetic presentations containing any percentage ofweight of these components mentioned herein.
 11. COMPOSITION BASE ofPteridium Aquilinum and Arachnoideum and/or their synonyms FOR COSMETICOR PHARMACEUTIC USE FOR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALEAND FEMALE PEOPLE according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterizedfor the preparation of cosmetics, phytocosmetics or topicalpharmaceuticals, containing from 1% to 99% of the active ingredient ofsaid plants.
 12. COMPOSITION BASE of Pteridium Aquilinum andArachnoideum and/or their synonyms FOR COSMETIC OR PHARMACEUTIC USE FORTREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PEOPLEaccording to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized by the preparationof cosmetics, phytocosmetics, or topical pharmaceutical products,comprising of formulations which contain chemical(s), fraction(s) of theextracts, and/or juice of said plant, containing any percentage byweight of the respective components.
 13. COMPOSITION BASE of PteridiumAquilinum and Arachnoideum and/or their synonyms FOR COSMETIC ORPHARMACEUTIC USE FOR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE ANDFEMALE PEOPLE according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized bythe preparation of cosmetics, phytocosmetics, or topical pharmaceuticalproducts, comprising formulations with tannins, chemical compounds andtheir functional derivatives, extracted from Pteridium Aquilinum andArachnoideum or their synonyms, containing any percentage of itscomposition.
 14. COMPOSITION BASE of Pteridium Aquilinum andArachnoideum and/or their synonyms FOR COSMETIC OR PHARMACEUTIC USE FORTREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PEOPLEaccording to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized by the preparationof cosmetics, phytocosmetics, or topical pharmaceutical products,comprising of formulations associated with forms of drug(s), vitamin(s),salt(s), sugar(s) and any other excipient(s), in any percentage of itscomponents.
 15. PROCESS OF PREPARATION OF THE BASE COMPOSITION OFPteridium Arachnoideum or Aquilinium and/or their synonyms FOR COSMETICOR PHARMACEUTIC USE FOR TREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALEAND FEMALE PEOPLE according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterizedby the following procedure: (a) comprises leaves, stems, roots orrhizomes or Pteridium Arachnoideum Aquilinium and/or their synonyms,dried or not, ground or not; (b) extracted by macerating with alcohol(ethanol) hydroetanol, water or oil; (c) and afterwards, filtered; (d)may or may not be concentrated in the evaporator or centrifuge. 16.PROCESS OF PREPARATION OF ANY OF THE PRODUCTS INDICATED IN CLAIMSNUMBERS 06 TO 14 OF THE BASE COMPOSITION OF Pteridium Arachnoideum orAquilinium and/or their synonyms FOR COSMETIC OR PHARMACEUTIC USE FORTREATMENT OF BALDNESS OR HAIR LOSS IN BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PEOPLEaccording to any one of the claims 2 to 15, characterized by containingfrom 01% to 99% of the active principle of the plant PteridiumArachnoideum or Aquilinium and/or its synonyms.